The Skeleton Key

Remember that skeleton key sets the shroud location to 1, after modifiers. This means that you can't use other effects that reduce the test further to further reduce to 0.

I think this card is as such still too expensive (both in actions and experience) to use for most classes.

drjones87 · 195
It's noted that the shroud value cannot be reduced, but the difficulty can be reduced. "Difficulty 0 test" can be generated with the following cards: Map the Area, Quick Learner, Flashlight(3 level only), Gumption... — elkeinkrad · 500
Another way to get the test to 0 is for Alessandra to investigate with Beguile while having Fine Clothes in play. With 3 copies of Beguile and probably every Alessandra will play 2 copies of Fine Clothes and put them in play early, this will be a common and useful interaction making Skeleton Key very strong for Alessandra. — Sayre · 1
I think the best interaction is with Quick Learner, playing with Wendy. Because you can use your first actions to detach/atach the key, and investigate in your third throwing Shed a light. still very action consuming which is the worst part of this card. Can be mitigated with Haste, maybe, but still... — joster · 40
Drawing Thin

Drawing Thin is a type of card I often dislike and worry about. I can see the designers really tried to balance the cards as much as possible and on the face of it spending a card and an action for cards in the future seems somewhat balanced. They certainly got the balance better than other games in the past!

However, the problem cards like this have is they only get included in decks where the effect is going to be abused, otherwise you won't bother with the card. If you make the card weak enough to not be abused it is far too weak to be considered in another deck so either you see the card in a deck where it is a major engine for limitless resources, or you don't see it at all.

Titar · 3
Darrell's Kodak

Only a subset of encounter cards remain in play. Many have a revelation effect and are immediately put in the discard pile. For this reason, Darrell can get a lot more use out of his camera in higher player count games where more encounter cards are seen each turn.

The fact that he can place the evidence on enemies and treachery cards that investigators drew at any location (That hopefully have clues on them!) makes multiplayer the place that this card shines.

Finally, don't forget that many weaknesses are treachery cards so you can benefit off of your allies' misfortune. ;-)

david6680 · 66
Royal Emissary

Funnily enough, if this guy is in the Theatre and you are in the Balcony, you won’t be able to hear it sing, as the Balcony is not a “connecting location”. (Compare the wording to that of the Abbess from Carnivale of Horrors, for instance.)

Superstar · 13
Everyone knows the balcony is the worst spot to enjoy a performance — Nenananas · 258
Hallowed Chalice

arkhamdb.com

I built a Dexter Drake that is a flex fighter, and this card seems invaluable. If you're taking Arcane Research (or two copies of it), In the Thick of It, and maybe even Charon's Obol, Hallowed Chalice looks amazing for survivability (especially if you can tutor 'Charm' with Molly Maxwell). Surprisingly, aside from Sword Cane and upgrading to Cyclopean Hammer late game, Dex's hand slot can be relatively uncontested if you're relying on Arcane slots to do your damage dealing.

Dex is actually the surprise winner of the Scarlet Keys mystic cards suite. Power Word, String of Curses, Uncage Soul (3) all seem pretty powerful with him, and even the Rogue cards such as Kicking the Hornet's Nest, Underworld Market, and Dirty Fighting can find a home with him.